Daily Devotion, July 3, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Peter 1:3-9.

The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to Christians who had escaped persecution from Jewish people in Jerusalem and, most likely, in other parts of Israel as well. We can only imagine what trouble and difficulties they had been through that Peter describes simply as trials. Now they are in various provinces in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), living among strangers in a foreign culture. They needed encouragement, and Peter gave it to them in this letter. Peter announced to them that, because they had been faithful, they have an inheritance kept for them in heaven. 

We should feel free today to read these words of encouragement and hope as meant for us too. Like the Christian exiles to whom Peter wrote, you and I have never seen Christ, and yet we love him and believe in him. All of us go through difficult times, and when we keep our faith in those times, we emerge as stronger Christians. Verse 9 reminds us that the end result of our faith is the salvation of our souls. When we think of the teaching of salvation by grace through faith, we often think of the writings of the Apostle Paul, but Peter teaches us this here as well. We are saved through faith!

Personal Worship Option:

Are you going through a difficult time? If not, think of a time when you did. God does not put trials in our path, but God is with us when they come. They test our faith, and passages like this encourage us to hang tough, remain faithful, and show the genuineness of our faith.